Abstract: A data packet detection method, a device, and a system are disclosed. The method includes: receiving first control information sent by a controller; receiving a first data packet sent by a previous-hop network device of a first network device, where the first data packet includes first detection information, and the first detection information includes a first detection node identifier, a first sequence number, and first collection information; determining, based on the first collection information, first collected data corresponding to the first collection information, and updating the first detection node identifier; and sending, to a next-hop network device of the first network device, the first data packet carrying the updated first detection information. This implements information telemetry on a data packet on a transmission path.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices (e.g., routers) for performing segment routing over a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network. A method can include a router of the MPLS network receiving a packet, and the router modifying the packet by adding a segment routing header (SRH) type MPLS extension header. The SRH type MPLS extension header includes one or more segment identifiers (SIDs) that collectively provide a SID list for use in segment routing. The method further comprises the router copying one of the one or more SIDs in the SRH type MPLS extension header to a top of an MPLS label stack, and the router forwarding the packet as modified to another router of the MPLS network based on the one of the one or more SIDs included in a label stack entry at the top of the MPLS label stack.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for sending network management information in a network. A source edge node modifies data packets by encapsulating an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) header in the data packets traversing a data path, and the OAM header includes a first indicator field. The source edge node also inserts a segment size field into the OAM header of the data packets based on an indication by the first indicator field, the segment size field indicating the data path is partitioned into segments based on a value of the segment size field.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for sending network management information in a network. A source edge node modifies data packets by encapsulating an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) header in the data packets traversing a data path, and the OAM header includes a first indicator field. The source edge node also inserts a segment size field into the OAM header of the data packets based on an indication by the first indicator field, the segment size field indicating the data path is partitioned into segments based on a value of the segment size field.

Abstract: A mixed Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network includes both extension header capable (EH capable) nodes and EH non-capable nodes. A first EH capable node receives advertised capabilities of a downstream node. These advertised capabilities indicate whether the downstream node is EH capable. The first EH capable node receives a packet to be transmitted to the downstream node via the MPLS network, and determines whether the packet includes an extension header (EH). The node inserts an EH label into an MPLS label stack of the packet after determining the advertised capabilities of the downstream node indicate that the downstream node is EH capable, and after determining the packet does not include the EH.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices (e.g., routers) that add in-network services to a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network. A method can include a router of the MPLS network receiving a packet and modifying the packet by adding one or more MPLS extension headers, adding a header of the extension header(s), and adding an indication within an MPLS label stack that one or more MPLS extension headers have been added to the packet. The method can also include the router forwarding the packet as modified to another router of the MPLS network. In certain embodiments, an extension header label (EHL) within a label value field of a label stack entry indicates that one or more MPLS extension headers have been added to the packet. In other embodiments, a forward equivalent class (FEC) indicates that one or more MPLS extension headers follow the MPLS label stack.

Abstract: A data packet detection method, a device, and a system are disclosed. The method includes: receiving first control information sent by a controller; receiving a first data packet sent by a previous-hop network device of a first network device, where the first data packet includes first detection information, and the first detection information includes a first detection node identifier, a first sequence number, and first collection information; determining, based on the first collection information, first collected data corresponding to the first collection information, and updating the first detection node identifier; and sending, to a next-hop network device of the first network device, the first data packet carrying the updated first detection information. This implements information telemetry on a data packet on a transmission path.

Abstract: A mechanism for adaptively performing in-band network telemetry (INT) by a network controller is disclosed. The mechanism includes receiving one or more congestion indicators from a collector. An adjusted sampling rate is generated. The adjusted sampling rate is a specified rate of insertion of instruction headers for INT and is generated based on the congestion indicators. The adjusted sampling rate is transmitted to a head node, which is configured to perform INT via instruction header insertion into user packets.

Abstract: A method for using metadata in an Internet Protocol (IP) packet is provided. A first processor at a first node sets a dedicated field of the IP packet to a predetermined value to indicate that metadata is present in the IP packet, and adds metadata to the IP packet by inserting the metadata between an original transport header of the IP packet and an original packet payload of the IP packet. A second processor at a second node receives the IP packet from the first node, reads the dedicated field to identify the predetermined value indicating that metadata is present in the IP packet, and identifies the metadata in the IP packet based on the predetermined value.

Abstract: A per-hop postcard technique is disclosed. The per-hop postcard technique is implemented to improve Postcard-based Telemetry (PBT). A per-section postcard technique is also disclosed. The per-section postcard technique is implemented to improve In-situ OAM (IOAM). By utilizing these techniques, suitable on-path telemetry may be obtained for multicast traffic. In addition, these techniques may be used to reconstruct and visualize a multicast tree, to conduct performance monitoring, and to perform trouble shooting.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices (e.g., routers) for performing segment routing over a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network. A method can include a router of the MPLS network receiving a packet, and the router modifying the packet by adding a segment routing header (SRH) type MPLS extension header. The SRH type MPLS extension header includes one or more segment identifiers (SIDs) that collectively provide a SID list for use in segment routing. The method further comprises the router copying one of the one or more SIDs in the SRH type MPLS extension header to a top of an MPLS label stack, and the router forwarding the packet as modified to another router of the MPLS network based on the one of the one or more SIDs included in a label stack entry at the top of the MPLS label stack.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for sending network management information in a network. A source edge node modifies data packets by encapsulating an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) header in the data packets traversing a data path, and the OAM header includes a first indicator field. The source edge node also inserts a segment size field into the OAM header of the data packets based on an indication by the first indicator field, the segment size field indicating the data path is partitioned into segments based on a value of the segment size field.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for sending network management information in a network. A source edge node modifies data packets by encapsulating an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) header in a select number of the data packets. The OAM header includes a data type bitmap and a node data list. A valid node bitmap is inserted into the OAM header prior to the node data list, and each bit in the valid node bitmap identifies whether one or more nodes in the network add data to the OAM header. A valid data bitmap is then added into the OAM header for each of the one or more nodes identified as adding data to the OAM header. The valid data bitmap indicates types of data items available at the node. Subsequently, the edge node issues the select data packets to the one or more nodes identified in the OAM header.

Abstract: This application provides a congestion control method, a network device, and a network interface controller. In the congestion control method performed by a first intermediate device, the first intermediate device receives a first data packet sent by a sending device, sends the first data packet to a receiving device along a first path, receives a first acknowledgment packet that is sent by the receiving device and that is used for acknowledging the first data packet, and determines a congestion degree of the first path based on a congestion mark in the first acknowledgment packet. The first intermediate device changes a window value and sends the changed first acknowledgment packet to the sending device. According to the solution provided in this application, a speed of transmitting a data packet is adjusted based on a congestion degree of a communication path and a quantity of bytes of the data packet.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for sending network management information in a network. A source edge node modifies data packets by encapsulating an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) header in a select number of the data packets. The OAM header includes a data type bitmap and a node data list. A valid node bitmap is inserted into the OAM header prior to the node data list, and each bit in the valid node bitmap identifies whether one or more nodes in the network add data to the OAM header. A valid data bitmap is then added into the OAM header for each of the one or more nodes identified as adding data to the OAM header. The valid data bitmap indicates types of data items available at the node. Subsequently, the edge node issues the select data packets to the one or more nodes identified in the OAM header.

Abstract: A router in a network receives a data packet to be transmitted to a receiver and obtains packet latency information identifying a time by which the packet is to be delivered to the receiver. The router then adds the packet to a push-in first-out (PIFO) queue in the router. The router pushes the packet into the PIFO queue as a function of the packet latency information and latency information of other packets in the PIFO queue.

Abstract: A method for using metadata in an Internet Protocol (IP) packet is provided. A first processor at a first node sets a dedicated field of the IP packet to a predetermined value to indicate that metadata is present in the IP packet, and adds metadata to the IP packet by inserting the metadata between an original transport header of the IP packet and an original packet payload of the IP packet. A second processor at a second node receives the IP packet from the first node, reads the dedicated field to identify the predetermined value indicating that metadata is present in the IP packet, and identifies the metadata in the IP packet based on the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method is provided to configure a communication network to perform telemetry of OAM data, implemented in a network management device. A packet flow ID is identified, and a head node and an end node for the packet flow are determined from the flow ID. A marking command is sent to the head node, causing it to mark some packets in the packet flow. An unmarking command is sent to the end node, causing it to unmark marked packets. A path configuration command is received, including a list of nodes through which a marked packet passed. A command is sent to the nodes in the list, configured to cause the nodes to collect specified OAM flow data relating to marked packets. Such data for an individual packet is received after being collected from the nodes in the list. The OAM flow data is used to improve performance of the network.

Abstract: A router device comprises a memory storage storing a database with network path information and a plurality of network interface line cards. The plurality of network interface line cards receive data through a network interface of a first line card addressed to a second line card; determine a path through at least one switch from the first line card to the second line card based on the network path information stored in the database; and forward the data, the address of the second line card, and the path information to the second line card from the first line card through the at least one switch.

Abstract: A method is provided to configure a communication network to perform telemetry of OAM data, implemented in a network management device. A packet flow ID is identified, and a head node and an end node for the packet flow are determined from the flow ID. A marking command is sent to the head node, causing it to mark some packets in the packet flow. An unmarking command is sent to the end node, causing it to unmark marked packets. A path configuration command is received, including a list of nodes through which a marked packet passed. A command is sent to the nodes in the list, configured to cause the nodes to collect specified OAM flow data relating to marked packets. Such data for an individual packet is received after being collected from the nodes in the list. The OAM flow data is used to improve performance of the network.